- Title: Golden tigers see surge in visitors after viral social media post
- Date: 24th December 2024
- Summary: CHIANGMAI, THAILAND (DECEMBER 20, 2024) (REUTERS) CROWDS SITTING AT STADIUM WAITING FOR EVENING SHOW VARIOUS OF AVA AND LUNA PERFORMING AT TIGER SHOW (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) CHIANG MAI RESIDENT KNOWN ONLY BY FIRST NAME, AUNTIKA, SAYING: “I feel like I want to take Ava home. She’s so much like a cat! I’d love to have a giant cat like this at home” VARIOUS OF TIGER SHOW ONGOING AUDIENCES WATCHING SHOW (SOUNDBITE) (Thai) CHIANG MAI RESIDENT, WIRUNYA PUNYOKIT, SAYING: “Seeing this tiger, I think it’s incredibly intelligent and capable of delivering surprising performances like this. I’m happy that Chiang Mai has such smart animals as a key attraction” VISITORS LOOKING AND RUBBING ON TIGER PLUSH TOY AT SOUVENIR SHOP TIGER PLUSH TOY BEING DISPLAYED AT SHOP VISITOR TAKING PICTURE WITH TIGER PLUSH TOY
- Embargoed: 7th January 2025 01:40
- Keywords: Ava and Luna Chiang Mai Night Safari ChiangMai Thailand Tiger sisters Wildlife
- Location: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND / INTERNET
- City: CHIANG MAI, THAILAND / INTERNET
- Country: Thailand
- Topics: Asia / Pacific,Environment,Nature/Wildlife
- Reuters ID: LVA003864220122024RP1
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Ava and Luna, two rare 3-year-old golden tigers, have stolen the spotlight at the Chiang Mai Night Safari with their dazzling golden coats and irresistibly cute, kitten-like features, captivating the hearts of visitors from around the world.
"These are rare tigers and can only be found in animal breeding centers worldwide or in zoos. They can no longer be found in the wild," said the zoo's tiger trainer, Patcharee Pipatwongchai.
Born in captivity, twin sisters Ava and Luna made their debut at the zoo in June, and their introduction to the public via social media sparked a frenzy of excitement, with thousands of fans liking and sharing pictures and videos of the adorable duo.
The sister's addition to the "Tiger Show" at the zoo has also sent ticket sales soaring, with the 500-seat stadium selling out for every performance, four days a week, as the golden tigers wow the crowd with their agility and obedience, walking through the trainer's legs and tubes with ease and precision. Some fans even said they wanted to take the tigers home for their cuteness and tameness.
The "Golden Tabby" is a colour variation of the Bengal tigers, sometimes known as "strawberry", and is caused by recessive genes, according to Thai National Parks website. They are described as having thicker than usual light-gold fur, pale legs, and faint orange stripes, said the website.
The golden tiger population has dwindled to a critically low level, with only a handful of individuals remaining in the world, and the majority of these rare animals are being cared for in controlled environments, such as zoos, as reported by the zoo and the Miami Zoological Wildlife Foundation.
(Production: Zaw Naing Oo, Juarawee Kittisilpa, Adib Satikin, Daniel Lim) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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